Former Pittsburgh Resident Admits Attempting To Arrange A Sexual Encounter With A Child

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2010

PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, July 7, 2010, that Roger Wesley Farris, II, formerly a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge related to his attempt to arrange for sex with a minor child.

Farris, age 40, of Waynesboro, Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song advised the court that on or about March 4, 2008, Farris attempted to arrange illegal sexual activity with a minor. The criminal complaint filed against Farris detailed an undercover operation in which Farris contacted an agent posing as the uncle of a 10‑year‑old child in an effort to arrange sex with the child. Farris told the agent that he would pay $700, plus $50 for gas money, if the uncle would bring the child from West Virginia to a hotel in Pittsburgh. Farris was arrested on March 5, 2008, at the Quality Inn hotel at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Roger Wesley Farris, II.